Minister urges BFRI scientists to focus on quality research
Fisheries, Livestock and Agriculture Minister Mohammed Amin Ur Rashid today (24 June) urged scientists to focus on basic, innovative, and high-quality research on food nutrition, safety, and public health.
He made the call during an exchange of views with officials at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute conference room in Mymensingh after inspecting the institute's activities.
"There is no alternative to research for achieving sustainable development and ensuring food security in the country," the minister said.
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He called for securing patents for agricultural research and implementing modern and productive projects to keep pace with changing times.
The minister also emphasised the need to produce fish feed raw materials safely and in accordance with international standards to increase production safety and expand exports.
Responding to a journalist's question on supplying electricity to aquaculture at subsidised rates, as is done for the agriculture sector, the minister termed the demand "highly logical".
He assured that necessary steps would be taken after discussing the matter with the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
Earlier in the day, the minister inspected advanced hatcheries at the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute campus.
He reviewed breeding protocols and production lines for high-value and indigenous species, including Subarna Rui, Mekong Pangas, Mahseer, Small Mahseer, Freshwater Pearl, Khoksa, Dhela, native Sarputi, Baam, Bhagna, native Tit Puti, Ghaura, Monosex Tilapia, small shrimp, Galda Chingri and Kuchia.
He also inspected modern cage-culture setups for Shing, Gulsha, Pabda, and Magur and provided strategic guidelines to the heads of the respective departments.
Md Delwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; Dr Anuradha Bhadra, Director General of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Nripendra Nath Biswas, Divisional Director of the Department of Fisheries, Mymensingh; Dr Md Latiful Islam, Director (Finance and Administration) of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; Dr Md Amirul Islam, Director (Research and Planning) of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute; and Md Shahidul Islam, Chief Scientific Officer of the Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, attended the meeting, along with other senior regional officials.
